A Little to Catch Up On

Last week was amazingly full of important times for lots of people that we love. Starting with the beginning of life, Charlotte Kay Cook was blessed on Sunday in Salt Lake City. Then the next major step in life is baptism: Jacy Hayes Penick was baptized on Saturday. John & Tricia Marr were blessed to be sealed in the Provo Temple on Saturday evening. And that morning was the funeral of our Grandma Ethel Orton Higginson in Idaho that we were just not able to attend with all the other things going on. And on top of that, grandpa J. Boyd Seely is in the hospital with cancer in his bladder, lungs and bones, along with other things like failing kidneys, possible pneumonia and a great attitude and smile to go with it all! In between all of that, we tried to keep up on the house, homeschool, and our daily things while spending time with the Cook family visiting from California. WOW!!! No wonder my Mom said she feels like she is kind of in a fog today. I am feeling a bit the same way: Lots to do, big things coming up, and trying to digest all that has already happened. Isn't life wonderful? I really mean it. I couldn't be happier.

Fun Snow in March

I decided to let go a little bit and have some fun. We made a few really neat huts (they filled the front room and kitchen) and then played outside in the snow storm. I am not a big fan of the cold and wet and mess (wet coats, gloves, hats, pants, socks, boots, etc.), but it all turned out great! We had a fun afternoon.

Kids
Always do their morning tasks, family scripture study, instrument practicing, attended cousin Jerin Bailey's science fair at his school, made huts, played in the snow, read books, played chess and scrabble. They were just good kids today!

Kortney
She had the special opportunity to go to the hospital with Jerin and read to her Great Grandpa Seely. They read him The Long Winter in the Little House on the Prairie series. She said she had fun. I hope they get to keep doing it.

Mom
I go back and forth trying to decide if I should include my things I do. Most of it is very daily tasks: cleaning, making meals, cleaning up meals, making snacks, changing laundry, changing diapers, wiping bottoms, disciplining, setting timers for all sorts of things, encouraging studying and good choices, and making more meals. For the past few weeks I have not missed a weekday morning going to Curves to exercise and that has been huge to me. I feel great! I can't see any difference, but I have more energy and just feel better about myself all around. I have also been able to read The Book of Mormon more consistently right when I get home from Curves. I have a great desire to STUDY more and learn all sorts of things, but really struggle making the time. That is an improvement I am going to make.

Wonderful Wednesday

Today was fun.

We also learned some new information about my Grandpa Seely: he has cancer. It is at least in his bladder and in his bones. We don't know how progressed it is. New challenges every day that help me be grateful for all the good things going on. I know our family is very blessed.

Seth cut all the boys hair today. Then my sister Lisa came over and cut my hair and cut Kortney's again. We got some hand-me-down clothing that the kids just thought was the BEST! We played outside together in the warm weather.

Our Millie Millers!!!

Millie is the funnest and smartest little Millie I know! She is very observant and very selective with whom she shares her smarts and smiles with. I am blessed to be one of those selected few (not necessarily the camera though). These pictures are just some fun random ones I have captured recently (on a camera that needs to be replaced, I might add). I sure love you, Millie, and all the smiles you bring us!

The Fix-up House

My Dad & Mom have always got a million things going on. One of those million things right now is a home they bought on Osmond Lane to fix up and sell. Seth has been helping with the demolition, clean up, grunt man work there. The kids have all had a turn to go and help and it has been a fun project. Here are some fun pictures with more to come!

Crazy and GOOD all at the same time!

Yes. We had a good, crazy day! It started out with me taking Tylan to Curves this morning at 6:00 A.M.. Aleta (the person who works there) didn't like it at all, but everyone else did. And Tylan was a perfect angel and just showed Aleta a thing or two or three!!!! Family scripture study was a fun discussion on how every choice has a consequence. And how knowledge allows us to make better choices. When we are ignorant, we have less ability to choose.

Kortney
Practiced piano, still waiting for a harp string to come in the mail(it broke!), made cornbread, read " ? ", rollerskated with Nathan outside in the 50 degree weather, helped Aunt Tricia organize the Haiti orphan donated clothing, spent time with Kahlan and Jerin, played basketball with the boys, watched "Anne of Green Gables" movie with Nathan.

Nathan
Practiced piano and accordion, went with Dad to fix-up house (my parents' investment house in Provo on Osmond Lane) to help work and paint his pinewood derby car, went to accordion lessons, read Black Stallion Returns, rollerskated outside with Kortney, went to scouts and made a wooden airplane, played basketball with Jerin & Kortney, watched "Anne of Green Gables" with Kortney, made dinner.

Cameron, Tylan & Millie
Played horses, read books, went for stroller ride/bike ride, played at Marr's house, played outside in the warmer weather, had a rough evening/night, went to bed EARLY!

I am still here!!!

So much going on! I guess that is just life. And I do like to have things going on and being busy, so...life is GOOD!

We have plans to move into my parents' basement in their home in the Berkshire neighborhood, John & Tricia are getting sealed in the Provo Temple this Saturday, Grandma Ethel Orton Higginson died last night, Seth will be working with Ian Penick doing new windows for the Atlanta Temple from 11:30 P.M. to 2:30 A.M. for the next few weeks, I found a neighbor around the corner that homeschools and is using the TJed principles, and the weather has been fabulous this past few days!!!

Kids
Practicing instruments, attending instrument lessons, getting ready for piano and harp recitals, visiting Bean Museum at BYU, being creative outside, spending more time with Bailey cousins, SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to move in with Grandpa and Grandma Higginson.